Saturday, June 29, 2013

Winnie & Pip (and the pattern testing gig)


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By hook or by crook this pattern will be ready for testing on Monday. Winnie and Pip were a kind of challenge after I made The Cabbages. A friend asked me if I could create a  simpler doll that still had some accessories ( oh be careful what you wish for: This is not Winnie and Pip’s only adventure).                 So what’s the whole deal with pattern testing? Sometimes, if I have been showing the blog progress of a toy as I go, someone might send me an email asking if they can test it. Usually its because they especially like that one or have a “thing” for a certain animal. Other times I might ask on Bookface or here on the blog to see if people want to test a pattern.
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Pip
Basically pattern testing means just what you think it means. You get the pattern and a kit of fabric to make the toy. I always send the fabrics to the same measurements that I list in the requirements…
  • So that’s the first challenge. Did it all fit on the fabric provided or was I bit too stingy, conversely do you half a metre left over because I wrote a number wrong? (or just made that bit up)
  • Then you follow the directions and make the toy. You might notice I said “cut 8 arms”, when we really only need four. There might be spelling mistakes or I may have forgotten to say –“turn the leg out the right way”  before I tell you to stuff it.
  • Hopefully it all goes together ok but even then I need to hear which bits were a confusing or took a few tries or which bits just made no sense and made you swear. You don’t have to “fix” anything or rewrite anything – you just need to point out the wobblies for me. There are always a few people testing so there is no pressure to pick up every little thing.
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Winnie
I think pattern testing is really important. I know how frustrating it is to struggle to understand a pattern or to find the instructions are so brief that I have to guess the construction. (and I am not suggesting for a moment that I rock this pattern writing stuff – you people know I sweat this part all the time) Yes, it adds more time to the pattern making but after a while my brain simply cannot read it’s own writing and I really need fresh (crafty) eyes to have a look at things. Patterns are expensive and I think its important that they are easy to follow.
As I almost always say – there is not much in it for the tester, something that I still struggle with ( but you know with 30 million in the lotto tonight that’s sure to change). Pattern testers get the pattern, all the necessary fabric, my undying gratitude, always a small gift and elevation to the status of Senior Management. 
Anyway, Obviously I’m hoping someone would like to test Winnie or Pip but I also thought there might be people who don’t really know what the pattern testing stuff is about so thought I’d just bang-on a bit. I’d parcel everything off to you on Monday and hope you could have one doll made by about the 15th July (its a tight timeframe due to the Show in July). You don’t need to send me the doll or anything, just email the sticky bits.
(Why does spell check want to call Winnie, Winkie? )

Thanks to everyone who offered, I wish I could say yes to everyone but that might end in a case of "too many cooks". Winnie and Pip have at least two more adventures planned and I working as hard as I can to get them out into the world so stay tuned and if you are of an equine bent, you are going to love the next one!

34 comments:

  1. Hate to be the bearer of bad news but my local newsagency guy assured me I have the winning ticket for tonight ;) hahahahaha PS they are super cute and love the names.

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  2. I would love to help with testing Jodie! :)

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  3. Hey Jodie... Always happy to! And now its school holidays, I have bags of time to sew!
    Amongst watching my new chickens! x Fran

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    1. hey fran, I have been enjoying the chicken love on IG. Unfortunately chickens and large dogs are not a good mix...I love chooks.

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    2. Hi Jodes,
      Hence the really high fence to keep said dog out! Although last night was a slight concern... Mrs Leghorn was looking for a roost, and us novice Chicken Parents did not really think about 'putting the girls to bed'... So there was a momentary Mrs Leghorn on top of the fence looking for a suitable roost... Never the less, good husband caught her and popped her in her house... Therefore, today, she has had one wing clipped! I have fallen in love with chooks.....x

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  4. I'd love to test a pattern out for you Jodie. I haven't made a soft doll like these before so it would be a real test! Like Fran, with it being school holidays, I would have the time to test it out for you.

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  5. Pick me. School holidays and I'm free!

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  6. love Winnie and Pip..... bit far away to be a pattern tester though ......

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  7. love Winnie and Pip..... bit far away to be a pattern tester though ......

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  8. I'd love to test your pattern. I'm an intermediate softie maker if that helps :) I usually make animals but these ladies are so cute!

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  9. I would love to test your cute pattern!!!

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  10. Winnie and Pip are gorgeous, and I would be thrilled to test your pattern!! I am in Melbourne.

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  11. I think I could give it a go.

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  12. Winnie and Pip are super cute.
    Glad they finally decided to play nice.

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  13. don't you forget who your friends are when your ship comes in missy!

    I knew I needed dressmaking classes when I was trying to make a jacket/top from a magazine pattern and it said "now attach sleeves." That was it. Like I should just know how to do that! (I didn't, I do now, I'm still not that good at it)

    So your care and attention are appreciated.

    I'm never gonna be in it though - never mind the distance, I don't do well under pressure (3 years!?)

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    1. I know what you mean...How about "attach head to body" ...what with the force of my mind????
      I might have to move to the coast if I am ever getting that ship.

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  14. Jodie they are adorable. I hope your testers have fun. I can't wait to see what else the girls get up too.

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  15. I think pattern testing is super important and you hit the nail on the head -- a few "cooks" are better than many. I read and reread my own writing so many times checking for errors then I become sick of my own words. Winnie and Pip are sweet as can be -- if only all nurses were like that! :o)

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  16. Just adorable...I am a nurse so would be interested in a pattern once you have it for sale. Good luck!

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  17. If you'd like to keep me in mind for the pattern with the equine bent, I'd be happy to help. I am a former magazine editor and have made a doll or two! Love your work. :)
    Cheers,
    Karin

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  18. Świetne naprawdę...Zapraszam też do mnie klubtilda.blogspot.com Pozdrawiam

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  19. I would love to test a pattern! Any time!

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  20. Your nursey girls are gorgeous, Jod. When are you going to do a librarian version? You could have her carrying a dictionary of expletives and a sign saying "SHHHHH"!

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  21. And whoever tests these little cuties should do so while watching Call the Midwife, perhaps? They make me think of the characters from the series.

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  22. It might be good to make your pattern testers either beginners or with a little experience too. Experts will sort it out fairly quickly with a bit of eye-rolling and giggling.

    I was also thinking of Call the Midwife! Are you gonna do a story with them? Are you Jodie, are you??!! Winkie?!! Ahem, naughty spellcheck! Tell nurse.

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  23. I am sure you have had enough offers already, but they look so devine, and remind me of some my friend made recently, being the gorgeous Milly Molly and Little Friend Susan....I SO want to make some dolls!!!

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  24. OMG being a nurse I am loving winnie and pip .. looking forward to the pattern.

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  25. I had a great aunt Winkie. There was a war sadness.

    Winnie and Pip are beyond ace Jod, especially their capes and nursey bags

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Hellloooooo !!!!